Rabina’s nursing journey
16 May 2025
Care that goes beyond: Rabina Poudel’s deep commitment to community and connection.
Rabina believes in the power of small moments to make a big impact. As a Registered Nurse at AnglicareSA, she helps residents live fulfilling lives every day, whether through advocating for their health or nurturing their passions. Everything she does is to ensure they receive the compassionate care they deserve. It’s more than just a job – it’s a duty.
Nurturing connection
Cooking isn’t just a hobby for Rabina. It is a way to unwind and reconnect with her Nepalese heritage after long days caring for others. As she prepares thakali set, momo, chaumin, and other traditional dishes, she reflects on how important it is to maintain connections to the things you love, no matter your age or circumstances.
This philosophy is critical to her role as a Registered Nurse (RN) at AnglicareSA, where Rabina provides individualised care that prioritises the whole person.
“Every resident has their own care choices,” Rabina said. “That starts with their routines – waking up early or sleeping in, having breakfast delivered to their rooms or eating it in the dining room with other residents. Our amazing customer wellness team also offers activities they can take part in, such as music, gardening, bingo and baking.”
The decision to enter residential care can be a difficult one for older people and their families. That’s why Rabina and her team of dedicated Personal Care Workers are so passionate about creating a warm, welcoming environment where every resident can feel truly at home.
Rabina primarily spends her time in the memory support unit, working with residents with dementia who struggle to express their needs verbally and require specialised care to navigate their daily lives. It is here that Rabina’s natural empathy and openness make a profound difference.
“It can be quite challenging, but I’ve known these residents for a very long time, which makes it easy to look after them. It feels really good to have a chat with them while I deliver care, medications and all the other things they need. I enjoy spending time with them.”
The deep connections Rabina builds with residents were reflective of her personal values, she said. She said she firmly believed in the importance of community, and her cultural background had instilled in her a strong sense of serving others.
“Because of where I come from, I see taking care of others and looking after the people around me as my duty. That extends to my residents – I’m there for them, looking after them, because all the people around me do the same for me.”
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Growing together
As hard as it may be to believe, Rabina hasn’t always been a Registered Nurse. She began her career as a professional accountant, even undertaking masters studies in the field. A role in the healthcare sector allowed her to witness the power of personalised care.
“I had just moved from Sydney to Adelaide when I first came across AnglicareSA. I felt very aligned with the AnglicareSA values – treating all our residents with integrity, respect and compassion – and after joining the organisation, it was clear that they’re more than just words. Everyone lives the values in their roles.”
Rabina spent her first three years at AnglicareSA as a Personal Care Worker, but once she completed her nursing studies, she was supported to progress into the Registered Nurse role. While looking after residents is still her primary focus, Rabina’s qualifications mean she can provide medication management, conduct health assessments and advocate for their care with external providers. Her experience also makes her a fantastic role model for carers who are earlier in their journeys with AnglicareSA.
“I know what it’s like to be in their shoes, so I make sure the carers know they can come to me any time and I’ll help them out in any way possible. And if I ever need support, I know I can count on our team of RN’s, enrolled nurses, clinical managers and coordinators to be there for me. We’re very big on teamwork here; it’s a very supportive place.”
Rabina said she was also a big advocate of spreading positivity, having seen first-hand how it brightened everyone’s day -especially for our residents.
“If we tell the carers they are doing a wonderful job making our residents feel safe and looked after, it gives them the motivation to keep striving for that,” Rabina said.“Providing our residents with the care they deserve makes them feel happier – it’s a cycle.”
This cycle of appreciation flows through every level at AnglicareSA, creating a positive and supportive environment. For Rabina, it goes beyond the formal aspects of care – it is about nurturing personal connections that make both residents and staff feel valued.
“There’s one resident who I saw almost every day when I was a carer. Now that I’ve transitioned to the RN role, I don’t see him as often. On days when I’m less busy, I try to make time to go and see him and have a chat. When he sees me, he brightens up. I make his day, and he makes mine. There are so many residents that are happy to see us and appreciate what we do. That’s my biggest motivation.”
A family feel
As someone who had built a new life in Adelaide, AnglicareSA’s sense of community and support was a big part of why working here felt so special to Rabina. Fostering an inclusive working culture resonated deeply with her own values and experiences.
“AnglicareSA is inclusive of all backgrounds and looks after its employees a lot. There’s a real sense of belonging – even though we’re all very different, we all feel like we belong within AnglicareSA.”
It is the combination of professional fulfilment and personal connection that makes Rabina such a passionate advocate for AnglicareSA. She encourages anyone interested in working here to apply in a heartbeat.
“If you care about people and want a role where you can support others to change their lives, it’s a great career. The residents have to be your top priority, though – if you can’t understand that, it will be very difficult to thrive in this role. But if you treat them with compassion, respect and dignity, you’ll be amazed how much of a difference you can make in someone’s life just by being there for them.”